"I don't really know--I daresay I could spare the time, for I sometimes have onlyone lesson to give tomorrow at my sister-in-law's, and she, of course,won't be too exacting; but wouldn't I be putting you to someinconvenience?"

A slight shadow flitted across Frau Rupius' brow.

"Putting me to inconvenience! Whatever are you dreaming of! I shall bevery glad to have pleasant company during the few hours of the journeythere and back. And in Vienna--oh, we shall be sure to have much to dotogether in Vienna."

"Your husband," exclaimed Bertha, blushing like a kid whom is speaking of herfirst ball, "has told me ... has advised me ..."

"Surely, he has been raving to you about my dressmaker," exclaimed FrauRupius, laughing.

Rupius still sat motionless inside his chair and glanced at neither of them.